Education for children

Scuola Primaria (Primary School)

At age six, children start their formal, compulsory education with the Scuola Primaria also known as Scuola Elementare (Primary School). In order to comply with a European standard for school leaving age, it is possible to enter the Scuola Primaria at any time after the age of five and a half. At Scuola Primaria children learn to read and write and study a wide range of subjects including maths, geography, Italian, English and science. They also have music lessons, computer studies and social studies. Religious instruction is optional. Scuola Primaria lasts for five years. Classes are small with between 10 and 25 pupils. Pupils no longer take a leaving exam at the Scuola Primaria. At the age of eleven they begin their Secondary education.

Scuola Secondaria di Primo Grado (First Grade Secondary School)

All children aged between eleven and fourteen must attend the Scuola Secondaria di Primo Grado (First Grade Secondary School). Students must attend at least thirty hours of formal lessons per week, although many schools provide additional activities in the afternoons such as computer studies, music lessons and sports activities. Formal lessons cover a broad range of subjects following a National Curriculum set by the Ministero della Pubblica Istruzione, MPI (Ministry of Public Education). At the end of each term, students receive a school report. At the end of the third year, students sit a written exam in the subjects of Italian, mathematics, science and a foreign language. There is an oral examination of the other subjects. Successful students are awarded the Licenza di Scuola Media (Licenza Media). They then move onto the Scuola Secondaria di Secondo Grado (Second Grade Secondary School)

Scuola Secondaria di Secondo Grado (Second Grade Secondary School)

There are two types of Scuola Secondaria di Secondo Grado in Italy: Liceo, which is more academic, and Istituto, which is essentially a vocational school. For the first two years all students use the same state-mandated curriculum of Italian language and literature, science, mathematics, foreign language, religion, geography, history, social studies and physical education. Specialised courses, called ‘Indirizzi’ begin in the third year. Types of Italian High Schools:

Liceo Classico (Classical High School): this lasts for five years and prepares the student for university level studies. Latin, Greek and Italian literature form an important part of the curriculum. During the last three years philosophy and history of art are also studied.

Liceo Scientifico (Scientific High School): lasts for five years with an emphasis on physics, chemistry and natural sciences. The student also continues to study Latin and one modern language.

Liceo Artistico (Fine Arts High School): studies can last four to five years and prepare for university studies in painting, sculpture or architecture.

Istituto Magistrale (Teacher Training School): studies last for five years and prepare future primary school teachers. There is also a three year training course for nursery school teachers, but this diploma does not entitle students to then enrol at a university.

Istituto d’Arte (Artistic Schools): studies last three years and prepare for work within an artistic field and leading to an arts qualification (diploma di Maestro d’Arte)

Istituti Tecnici (Technical Institutes): studies last five years and prepare for both university studies and for a vocation. There is a majority of students in technical schools that prepare students to work in a technical or administrative capacity in agriculture, industry or commerce.

Istituti Professionali (Professional Institutes): these studies lead, in three or five years, to achievement of a vocational qualification.

In order to receive the Diploma di Scuola Superiore also known as the Diploma di Maturità (Secondary school diploma), students must pass written and oral exams. The first written exam requires an essay, written in Italian, on an aspect of literature, history, society or science. The second written exam requires the student to write a paper relating to their chosen specialisation. The third exam is more general and includes questions regarding contemporary issues and the student’s chosen foreign language.

After completing the written exams, students must take an oral exam in front of a board of six teachers. This exam covers aspects of their final year at school. Successful students receive various types of Diploma according to the type of school attended. The Diploma di Scuola Superiore is generally recognised as a university entrance qualification, although some universities have additional entrance requirements.